It seems like a version of this article comes out every six weeks or so. From the Reuters article “Israel strives to re-brand image“:
Since its founding in 1948, Israel has placed a special emphasis on “Hasbara” a Hebrew word describing the drive to explain how its actions, whether military or diplomatic, are justified and meet the highest moral standards.
Yet Israel is inextricably associated with conflict and war, and perceived by some critics as arrogant and cruel in its treatment of the Palestinians and its creation of settlements on occupied land which are deemed illegal under international law.
“Unfortunately, perceptions of Israel have always been nasty,” Israeli deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon conceded in an interview.
Maybe this advertisement that Richard Silverstein posted will help.
